Dĕcember, bris, m. [decem and -ber, = fer, Sanscr. bhar, to carry, bear: cf. Septem-ber, etc.],
I the tenth month of the Roman year , reckoned from March, and consequently our twelfth, December (containing, as now, 31 days): "dehinc quintus (mensis) Quintilis et sic deinceps usque ad Decembrem a numero," Varr. L. L. 6, § 34 Müll.; Cic. Leg. 2, 21 fin. : acceptus Geniis December (on account of the Saturnalia celebrated in this month), Ov. F. 3, 58; cf. Sen. Ep. 18: canus, Mart. 1, 50: gelidus, Ov. Tr. 1, 11, 3; cf.: fumosus, id. ib. 2, 491.—
b Adj. : ut adesset senatus frequens a. d. VIII. Kalendas Decembres, Cic. Phil. 3, 8: Nonae Decembres, Hor. Od. 3, 18, 10: Idibus Decembribus, Liv. 4, 37: libertate Decembri utere (i. e. of the Saturnalia ), Hor. S. 2, 7, 4.—
II As closing the year, meton. for the (past) year : hic tertius December, ex quo, etc., Hor. Epod. 11, 5; cf.: me quater undenos implevisse Decembres, id. Ep. 1, 20, 27.—
2 Dĕcember , bris, m., a Roman surname , Inscr. Grut. 241; 676 al.; name of a slave , Dig. 40, 5, 41, § 15.